and stepped forward one step before she ran straight for him.

 

#

 

The others were closely watching the man forgetting about Shanti. Then suddenly Shanti shot passed them growling furiously and charging at the man. The man quickly turned and aimed his gun at her. Shanti jumped at the moment he pulled the trigger. Whiles he was in the air the man swung his pole around to hit her. Kodi and the others yelled in fear. Shanti couldn’t dodge it and she wasn’t planning to dodge it anyway.

 

The pole was inches away from her and Shanti opened her mouth and grabbed hold of the pole surprising everyone, but she didn’t stop there. She pushed harder while still in her jump. For her it felt as if going in slow-motion. She put all her anger in the bite and felt the pole crack under the pressure. Then the winning sound of a breaking bronze pole.

 

Shanti landed close to Kodi on the other side of the man. The man looked in horror at the bronze pole that was snapped in two by a mere wolf bite. The others were just as shocked. Shanti was breathing heavily, not from exhaustion, but from anger. She turned around and growled at the man who flinched upon seeing her expression. She was looking with hatred at the man.

 

Kodi couldn’t keep his eyes off of Shanti. She was so different now. Not the scared pup who hid behind him, but a strong wolf full of determination and anger. Then to everyone’s surprise she howled the loudest and most beautiful howl ever. The man flinched again and even fell down.

 

The people from Nomecame running towards them now. Upon noticing the man and the gun they shot him looks of hatred. The man knew what was coming for him. The town head immediately ordered him to leave Nomeand never come back.

 

The musher was checking Kodi who himself was still looking at Shanti. Shanti faced away from the man who was now stumbling to get his things and she turned around to the open area of snow behind her. She could make out two forms who were her parents. They howled to her and she responded. They then slowly faded out of sight. Everyone around her heard the howls and understood who it was from. Shanti looked at Kodi who was looking down sadly.

 

‘Kodi?’ she said slowly. Kodi looked at her and noticed she was smiling. ‘Would you mind continuing to be my big brother?’ Shanti asked him. Kodi’s face lighted up and soon after Shanti nuzzled him.

 

‘This is where I want to be’ Shanti thought.

 

#

 

One month later.

 

The sled team was on it’s way to White Mountain. Their team was slightly different. Kodi no longer ran beside Kirby, but alone in the front. He was finally a lead dog as he always wished. Next to Kirby was now Shanti. She was totally happy to finally have her own place.

 

Balto and the others had watched them until they were out of sight.

 

Shanti enjoyed the cold wind and the running. She loved her life now.

 

‘This is where my heart took me, to where I truly belong’ Shanti thought as she noticed Nome moving out of sight.

 

 

 -        The End –

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